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Vedolizumab

Vedolizumab (Entyvio®) is a recombinant humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to the human α4β7 integrin (produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells).

Vedolizumab a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to the human α4β7 integrin and is produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. By inhibiting α4β7 integrin-expressing lymphocytes, vedolizumab reduces inflammation in the gut of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and thereby the symptoms of these diseases.

Mechanism of action

Vedolizumab is a gut-selective immunosuppressive biologic that inhibits α4β7 integrin. The α4β7 integrin is expressed on a discrete subset of memory T helper lymphocytes which preferentially migrate into the gastrointestinal tract and cause inflammation that is characteristic of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

By binding to α4β7, vedolizumab inhibits adhesion of these lymphocytes to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1). MAdCAM-1 is mainly expressed on gut endothelial cells and plays a critical role in the homing of T lymphocytes to tissues within the gastrointestinal tract. 

Vedolizumab has been shown to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, and to improve clinical response, remission and mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis patients.  

Clinical use

In Europe, vedolizumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Vedolizumab is used when conventional therapy with TNF-α antagonists are ineffective, no longer effective, or cannot be tolerated by the patient. Consult CHMP for details.

What can Sanquin do for you?

We have tests that:

  • can measure the levels of free drug in the serum; levels of therapeutic antibodies are assessed using validated ELISAs.
  • can measure the immunogenicity of vedoluzimab; human anti-human antibodies are quantified using validated antigen-binding tests (radioimmunoassay or RIA).

As we have hands-on experience in these assays, we can provide you with accurate and reproducible test results. 

Send in samples

If you want to use our drug level or ADA testing services, fill out this form and send it to us along with 1 ml frozen serum sample per patient.